Plug in chain magic for lead vocal?

[SergioS]

Just interested in what ingenious ways do you folks have invented in producing lead vocals using plugs. Some interesting solutions on not so maybe interesting (dull) lead vocals you have come up with. If you don't mind sharing...

[SergioS]

Bump, so you Do mind sharing...sorry...it wont happen again.tutt

[George Necola]

I like to compress vocals while tracking. plugins have problems handling a big dynamic range. it is like:
1. make it sound good with a good compressor (distressor or Urei.. whatever works for you)
2. make it fit perfectly in the mix with a plugin.

but that is just my way to go.

if you have dull vocals, you can try to repair them with eq and comp. I like the URS 1970 comp with the "fairchild" preset for this type of processing.

cheers

[TBlizz]

For my own male lead vocals I need all the help I can get! A typical setup would be:

• Melodyne plugin
• Low cut; usually at 32 Hz
• TC Electronic Dynamic EQ; to make dynamic cuts to lower piercing and nasal sounds.
• UAD-1 LA2A; maximum gain reduction of 5 dB to control the dynamics before vocal rides
• UAD-1 Pultec; broad boosts at 100 Hz & 5 kHz.

On the sends I usually have a combination of shorter and longer reverbs;
Altiverb Plate EMT 140, EMT 250 reverb, Powercore Classicverb.

However, the other day I recorded a schooled female singer and it sounds pretty good as it is…

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by George Necola

I like to compress vocals while tracking. plugins have problems handling a big dynamic range. it is like:
1. make it sound good with a good compressor (distressor or Urei.. whatever works for you)
2. make it fit perfectly in the mix with a plugin.

but that is just my way to go.

if you have dull vocals, you can try to repair them with eq and comp. I like the URS 1970 comp with the "fairchild" preset for this type of processing.

cheers

I second that

[SergioS]

Thanx for you input on this subject. The thing is that I am trying to get wider and more interesting vocal than it is. I gave up. I recorded the vocal track through focusrite red7 on brauner phantom givin it just I tried with left 50-130ms delay and right at some 90-170ms, even compressing those two delays in various ways, leaving them some 3-4 db's behind main vocal track adding to them all kind of BS efxs, tried all UAD's dynamics modules, even copying lead into two tracks- louder which is clean with ultra subtle pitch shifting and the other with a touch of altiverb's numerous reverbs and plates,but nothing... Dull,dull,dull...I was thinking about telling the lead vocalist that he shouldn't waste money on singing and paying studio fares- the closest shape that looks like microphone he should be involved with is selling hot dogs(c12 lookalike). Thanks God I've got this gearslutz to open my heart and steam off.

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by SergioS

Thanx for you input on this subject. The thing is that I am trying to get wider and more interesting vocal than it is. I gave up. I recorded the vocal track through focusrite red7 on brauner phantom givin it just I tried with left 50-130ms delay and right at some 90-170ms, even compressing those two delays in various ways, leaving them some 3-4 db's behind main vocal track adding to them all kind of BS efxs, tried all UAD's dynamics modules, even copying lead into two tracks- louder which is clean with ultra subtle pitch shifting and the other with a touch of altiverb's numerous reverbs and plates,but nothing... Dull,dull,dull...I was thinking about telling the lead vocalist that he shouldn't waste money on singing and paying studio fares- the closest shape that looks like microphone he should be involved with is selling hot dogs(c12 lookalike). Thanks God I've got this gearslutz to open my heart and steam off.

You want a wide vocal? Setup Waves Doubler as an effect, remove the direct signal in Wave Doubler, use the Basic Doubler preset and remove the Direct Signal. Adjust the delays to 18 ms for the left and 24 ms for the right and pitch shifting set to +9 for left and -9 for right. Then send your Vocal track to the Waves Doubler FX and this will widen your vocal as large as you want.

[TBlizz]

Originally Posted by luctellier

You want a wide vocal? Setup Waves Doubler as an effect, remove the direct signal in Wave Doubler, use the Basic Doubler preset and remove the Direct Signal. Adjust the delays to 18 ms for the left and 24 ms for the right and pitch shifting set to +9 for left and -9 for right. Then send your Vocal track to the Waves Doubler FX and this will widen your vocal as large as you want.

You can also try Audio Damage Discord 2. It's cheaper and eh... not WAVES!

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by TBlizz

You can also try Audio Damage Discord 2. It's cheaper and eh... not WAVES!

I bought the Audio Damage Discord 2 plugins (about 40$) and had some CPU problem. Sometimes the CPU started to take 100% of the CPU, I bypassed it, CPU went back to around 10%. Also, problem saving the presets... Of course when it works, it works really really well and it's cheapter than Waves!

[slaves666]

I always track dry, no EQ or Compression.....Then I autotune the comp'd vox track then apply these plugins.

1. UAD LA2A - usually 3-5db
2. Pultec EQ - Cut some bottom out, boost a little top 5 or 10k
3 Waves Double - I use the 2 voice preset and use -6 to -9 per side
4. Waves Deesser, get rid of sibilance

I have tried the SSL talkback plugin with success on Metal type stuff...adds a nice grit and filters nice.

[TBlizz]

For seriously dull lead vocals, you could also try on the Powercore platform: Vocal Enhancer.
The presets aren’t subtle, but perhaps with some tweaking you could get the “Make it sound better button” Paul White from Sound on Sound is going on about.

I find the AIR button on the Eliosound/Eiosis Air EQ enough enhancing for my needs.

[Yiannis]

Eq= UAD pultec and Waves LinEq

Compress = UAD fairchild and Waves Rcomp or RenVox.

Fx=UAD Dimension D,
reverb UAD plate A mono (L channel) with Altiverb EMT 250 mono(R channel)....sounds HUGE

[aussie_techie]

theres no magic chain but for a dull vocal start by cutting the low mids, pick your compressor depending on the track and than add an oxford inflator with a high curve

you might want to post a short sample

[s.d.finley]

I was mixing some stuff for a rap client of mine, that he recorded elsewhere. Vocals on one MC were supper muddy. I used the UAD 1073 on his vocals and were able to get them to cut thru very nicely. I also used the UAD LA2A for a lil' smoothness.

As always...YMMV

[flip@uaudio.com]

Originally Posted by s.d.finley

I was mixing some stuff for a rap client of mine, that he recorded elsewhere. Vocals on one MC were supper muddy. I used the UAD 1073 on his vocals and were able to get them to cut thru very nicely. I also used the UAD LA2A for a lil' smoothness.

As always...YMMV

Sounds good to me.... dfegad